Pre-existing condition

Wayco Wayne_2

a conflict with a homeowner on a heating job. I was called in to look at an addition last Summer. The house already had a Sun Room addition about 15 years old. It never got warm enough or cool enough. The existing house was OK. They wanted to build a master Suite onto the house. The wanted a whole new separate forced air system just for the master suite. I did a heat load and found out the existing furnace in the attic was way oversized and plenty big for all 3 zones. It was just a question of distribution. I designed a 3 zone electric damper system so each zone had it's own tstat. I replaced the duct work in the Sun room as it was undersized. I saved them a bit of money over the new separate system the Architech had suggested and was now cooling and heating the new addition and the "problem" sun room sufficiently. However the original house zone was not getting enough air. I had checked the size of the duct from the attic, where the furnace was located, down to the floor where the duct went into the crawlspace and split up to the separate rooms for distribution. The duct was plenty big down to that point. Trouble was as I found out the ducts diminished in size after they entered the crawlspace. They had been moving enough air before the construction because they had an oversized furnace jamming air directly into the duct so there was not only static pressure but velocity pressure too. I gave them a price to re-size the ducts so they would work properly, but they went to the arch and GC and complained saying we paid for a heating system that works and don't want to pay extra to modify this. Conveniently forgetting the money I had already saved them. It's my fault for not crawling down into that nasty old crawlspace and making sure that the ducts were sized correctly all the way to the end, so I am putting in duct for free to keep the GC happy and avoid a hassle. I understand the homeowners position but think they could be a little more fair minded. When the sytem is operating and I am free and clear from this job they will have to find someone else to work on their system. Burnt once, twice shy. WW

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ScottMP

sorry to here it Wayne

But you are doing the right thing, and your showing your true colors as contractor who cares about his business and reputation.

Some times you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you.

Scott

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tombig

The Extra Mile

You try to do the right thing by suggesting obviously better options to what's drawn and the architect is usually offended so you make an enemy. Zonig FA is cheaper up front and way more economical to run than two systems. You're right they should have been more fair minded about this. I'll bet the HO is tired of getting hit with extras from the GC and the buck(s)stopped at you. Grin and bear it. Do the right thing. Move on to the next one.


Good luck Wayne

Jack_23

Fairness isn't a lot to ask...

in my opinion. From now on I would, within reason due to the GC relationship, keep the "extra/change order" book close at hand.

Boilerpro_3

I know where you're coming from

I am still doing some minor work on a job that is that way. After a whole new heating plant, conversion of noisy steam convector system to hot water, I find that the existing hot water system has got some really screwed up piping. The piping is buried behind the ceiling and ductwork so it could not be accessed before the job was started. When I brought up some of the changes that would need to be made and some of the extra costs, I was flatly refused. I should of put that in the proposal, was thier opinion. These folks also demanded work be completed that was not in the contract and required me to agree to things that they thought were not in the contract (even though they already were). They withheld payment and still have not paid. Needless to say they voided the contract. I have continued to deal with some ongoing problems with one boiler, but still no money. I also found out my proposal was far lower than others.... MY MISTAKE!

The lesson learned is ...always get references for any potential large clients, no matter how trustworthy they appear.

I am not sure how I will handle service down the road. It's real tempting to just cut them loose. Did that once before after being lied to by someone who "knew better than all the contractors" and haven't regretted it.

Boilerpro

tombig

Voided??

Watch it BP. If they voided the contract you may never see your money no matter how many hoops you jump thru to 'please the customer'. Some people are like that. I,ve seen it happen to GC's a lot. They withold final payment while submitting punch list after punch list and when all's done they say, "I'm not paying...sue me".


You need to get work to be completed and dollars owed in signed document form or you're setting yourself up for big hit.


Keep the chin up Dave


Tom

Murph'_5

you mean.....

sometimes you get the bull, sometimes you get the horns!!


Wayne you over-rode the design, suck it up and fix it (as long as they repair the wall)I hate when that happens!!



Murph'

Wayco Wayne_2

Thanks for your responses guys

It helps to hear your comments. You guys know exactly what I'm going through. The GC is supportive and is sending a crew over on the day we install the duct to cut the holes and help me however they can. I've been working for this GC for 15 years and I would go into battle for him. He's an ex marine who is a born leader and a great guy. We've done many favors for each other over the years. It takes the sting out of things when people understand and return your actions with respect and support. WW

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Mark Eatherton1

The \"You touched it last\" syndrome...

Now it's YOUR problem. Wayne, you're doing the "right" thing in fixing the system. I agree with you regarding who should pay for unforseen circumstances. However, I always try and put myself in their shoes. It makes things just a little clearer. I find that generally when we do the right thing at no additional charge after the fact, that it comes back indirectly 10 times over in word of mouth referrals. If we have to do soemtning like you described, I will have my offoice manager generate a bill showing the additional charges, then in hand writing I write NO CHARGE across the bill and sign it. The HO then knows the value of your "free" service.

Lessons learned in the field should help you keep from making future mistakes. Never "assume" ANYTHING, or you know what the end result will be.

As for future service, the only way I'd agree to future service on something like that is to require the HO to provide you with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of 10 of his closest friends/relatives that you would be welcome to go and talk to about radiant floor heating systems. If he gives, then you take, and you both profit. I'd also ask for a letter of recommendation from his project. HO's are not completly blind. They know what you're going through.

Sleep well knowing that you did the "right" thing, even if you are the only one that realizes it.

ME